Chapter 185 Territorial Division
The gazes in the conference room landed on Gu Shen.

This proposal seemed to peacefully resolve the uneven distribution of resources across the four continents.

But in reality, it was just a thinly veiled declaration of "may the strongest win."

"The Vermilion Bird Envoy makes a good point."

Gu Shen said calmly, "A residential area is, of course, a minor matter. Eliminating extraordinary beings is the priority... I can agree to this proposal, but I need to have the first pick."

A three-dimensional holographic map appeared above the conference room table.

"I want this area..."

Gu Shen tapped his finger lightly.

He outlined a region that included the S3 residential area.

Vermilion Bird frowned and asked, "The Council has already completed the 'division.' How can you just pick whatever you want?"

"..."

Gu Shen smiled slightly. "What's wrong? Can the Vermilion Bird Envoy speak for Central Continent? If my request cannot be met, then the Eastern Continent will reject the previous proposal and has the right to demand absolute 'fairness,' such as having the Abyss re-plan the inner ring of the Mulberry Continent Cave, ensuring that each of the four continents receives the same area."

Hearing this, even the newly appointed Child of Blessing, Su Ye, who had spoken the least, felt a headache coming on.

If Gu Shen really insisted on this point...

This meeting would never end.

"A reasonable request."

Red Dragon calmly observed the area Gu Shen had outlined. "The Eastern Continent has the right to choose first. However, your re-selection of the 'area' disrupts the Abyss's original deployment. A portion of that residential area belongs to Central Continent... We can agree to the change. We have no right to interfere with the opinions of other continents."

"Northern Continent agrees to the change," Lu Zhe stated afterward.

Su Ye hoped this meeting would end quickly. He exchanged a look with Jia Wei and nodded, saying, "Western Continent also agrees."

"Good."

Red Dragon addressed the AI hologram floating in the conference room. "Abyss, re-plan the area... Divide this region to Eastern Continent."

Seconds passed.

The revised area division map appeared before everyone.

"Everyone, are there any other issues? If not... the meeting is adjourned."

Red Dragon seemed to be asking the other continents, but his gaze was solely on Gu Shen.

This was a meeting targeting the Eastern Continent, and the only one who might have any objections now was the Eastern Continent.

Although there were three attendees from the Eastern Continent... the other two had remained silent throughout, clearly entrusting the decision-making power to Gu Shen.

Gu Shen's statement...

Was the Eastern Continent's statement.

"Eastern Continent has no other issues."

Gu Shen spoke, and the other representatives also completed their statements.

The meeting ended "satisfactorily."

"Shua shua shua..."

The entire conference room was instantly dismantled. Countless arcs of electricity sparked within the deep-sea area, and virtual images disintegrated...

...

...

Gu Shen and Bai Xiu returned to reality, and Shen Li, who had gained "observer status," also disconnected from the mental link.

"Gu Shen..."

As soon as Shen Li woke up, he hurriedly asked, "You just agreed like that? Is Eastern Continent really going to have one less residential area for no reason?"

This meeting was nerve-wracking to watch.

The arrogant demeanor of the four envoys from the Tower of Origin made Shen Li's teeth itch with hatred.

His fists were clenched tightly when he was observing.

Bai Xiu's expression was slightly regretful, but he still offered comfort. "Seventy-nine residential areas can't possibly be divided equally. Although we're losing one area, at least we've exchanged it for the 'right of first choice.' It's acceptable."

Gu Shen looked at the two of them and smiled.

"Actually, it's not just about the 'right of first choice.'" He said slowly, "Everyone reached a consensus at this meeting... that in the current situation, fighting 'extraordinary beings' takes precedence. Think carefully, why did I want to re-plan the residential area distribution and take the S3 residential area directly?"

"Because... we're here?"

Shen Li spoke, suddenly realizing.

This meeting was held in the mental space... Due to Gu Shen's head start, the three of them had already arrived at the inner ring of the Mulberry Continent Cave. The extraordinary individuals from the four continents who arrived later were pulling and restraining each other in this situation. If the distribution issue wasn't resolved, then no one would be able to enter the Mulberry Continent Cave first.

That was why there was this "ceding territory meeting"!

"The reason Red Dragon agreed to this distribution... is because we tacitly agreed to something."

"If the other continents can't handle the extraordinary beings and need 'reinforcements,' then the four continents can 'help each other.'" Gu Shen said calmly, "In other words, the territory in the Mulberry Continent Cave still needs to be seized by force, but it's just phrased in a more civilized way. In this situation, choosing a territory first and arriving at the Mulberry Continent Cave first... becomes extremely important."

Arriving one step ahead meant having more information.

"Remember the 'extremists' that Patil mentioned?"

Gu Shen asked, "In the Mulberry Continent Cave, there are a total of seventy-nine residential areas. During these three years of the Awakening Experiment, how many residential areas can the 'neutralists' support to achieve independence?"

Clearly, the benevolent neutralists had limited power in the Mulberry Continent Cave.

Otherwise... the extraordinary individuals in the S3 residential area wouldn't have to hide behind high walls.

Extremists must be the majority!

"Southern Continent... didn't participate in this meeting..." Shen Li murmured, "Is it because they already planted seeds inside the Mulberry Continent Cave?"

The majority of the natives here still believed in the storm.

The four continents' aid was also limited to a "controllable" range by the Holy City.

"Yes."

Gu Shen said calmly, "If we really want to settle down in the Mulberry Continent Cave and gain something, then choosing residential areas with 'no faith' is the most important thing. If we come to the area of the 'extremists,' we not only need to deal with the extraordinary beings outside the walls but also take care of the 'refugees' who believe in the storm."

...

...

Gu Shen asked Patil for a relatively complete map. The S3 residential area, located in the southern cave's inner ring, was considered a relatively small residential area. According to Vias on the way here, "neutralists" were once active in the southern cave region during the chaotic era of various church disputes.

Although they were quiet, their influence was profound.

This was also why Gu Shen wanted to re-plan during the meeting –

Mr. Zhuang was dead.

But he believed... that there were other "neutralists" still active, and the "south of the Mulberry Continent Cave" that he had chosen was likely the main base of the "neutralists" –

Now, the external barrier of the Awakening Experiment had been opened by the Five Continents Council.

The arrival of outsiders would disrupt the peace of the Mulberry Continent Cave. With the Ancient Text Society's vigilance, they would hide even deeper until they understood the specific situation of this turmoil.

Using the S3 residential area as a base and extending outward, among the districts with high walls built around it, there must be clues to the "neutralists"... The Four Divine Envoys and the Children of Blessing currently had almost zero understanding of the internal information of the Mulberry Continent Cave.

"Shen Li, you expand to the west. There are a total of nine residential areas there. You need to 'unite' them. Chen Mo is already on his way and will meet up with you before dawn."

Gu Shen said seriously, "Abyss separated the four major areas. The Southern Cave is adjacent to 'Central Continent' and 'Western Continent'... Perhaps it's the meaning of the Highest Seat, or perhaps the main system has seen the alliance trend of the four continents."

Changye and Central City had confirmed their merger.

The Northern Continent and the Eastern Continent were assigned to the farthest areas from each other.

"I may come into contact with the extraordinary individuals from the 'Tower of Origin' on my side." Shen Li took a deep breath and frowned. "These guys won't start scheming right away, will they?"

"The Mulberry Continent Cave mission can't be completed in a day."

Gu Shen said solemnly, "If they really want to seize territory, it has to be 'justifiable.' However, the Four Divine Envoys must be guarded against. After you meet up with Chen Mo, remember to remind him to focus on keeping an eye on the 'Vermilion Bird Envoy'..."

Shen Li accepted the order and left.

"Little Xiu, I need you to make a trip to the east side of the Southern Cave." Gu Shen said sincerely, "There's no need to fight with the City of Light. Just gather the remaining nine residential areas according to the planned area in the meeting. Tell those without faith that the Eastern Continent is here to help them 'solve problems.'"

"This task is not difficult."

Bai Xiu looked at Gu Shen and asked, "Even if there are more 'neutralists' in the Southern Cave, we will inevitably encounter 'extremists.'"

"You can avoid the 'residential areas' where the extremists are... Some people can still be saved, and some are beyond saving."

"We're not here to be saviors."

Gu Shen said calmly, "The Thunder Realm Walker isn't a mental type after all. If you think these people are too troublesome, after dawn, I'll handle the 'extremists.'"

Bai Xiu nodded and was about to leave.

"By the way..."

Gu Shen stopped him.

Bai Xiu turned around.

"I still remember what I promised you in Changye."

Gu Shen said seriously, "The top priority is to stabilize the Southern Cave area first. Now, we're one step ahead of them. Next, it will be two steps ahead... After occupying all the advantages, we'll start to fight head-on."

"Why explain so much?"

Bai Xiu smiled freely and said, "I understand everything."

...

...

In the deep alley of the Bai Clan in Changye.

Gu Shen invited Bai Xiu "out of the mountain" using the Four Divine Envoys of the Tower of Origin as a bargaining chip –

All the top geniuses from the five continents had come for this Mulberry Continent Cave mission!

Bai Xiu had no rivals in the Eastern Continent. If he wanted to make a breakthrough, he naturally couldn't miss this opportunity for a top-level showdown... And Gu Shen wanted to take down Vermilion Bird, which was a perfect strong alliance.

It was just that during the previous mental conference, Gu Shen felt that some details made him feel uncomfortable.

It was nothing that Vermilion Bird was staring at him.

But the gaze of the Red Dragon sweeping across the audience... made him feel a little "weird."

The Red Dragon Envoy seemed to have glanced at his side more than once?

That gaze shouldn't have been directed at him...

Then it was likely "locked on" Little Xiu.

Gu Shen always believed in the intuition of the Blazing Fire!

This Mulberry Continent Cave "hunt" had already begun. The extraordinary beings outside the walls were not the real enemies. The top geniuses of the five continents would eventually collide...

Now, in a situation where the situation was unclear, it was not appropriate to launch an attack too early.

At this moment, the Holy City Research Institute freely opened all the "entry" permissions of the experimental area, and the extraordinary individuals from the four continents could choose their own entrance to the Mulberry Continent Cave.

Chen Mo had already led the extraordinary individuals of the Eastern Continent into the inland of the island.

The four continents each had their own "strategic deployments."

Yequan, Lu Zhe, and Mu Wanqiu split into two groups and went south along the northern shore. Their route was the closest... At the same time, Gu Shen shared the relevant information about the "neutralists" with Mu Wanqiu.

Therefore, at the beginning of their settlement, the Northern Continent directly rejected the "kindness" of the Holy City's extraordinary individuals to follow them.

Their initial plan was to quickly cover the Northern Cave, complete the settlement of twenty residential areas, and then conduct a "district inventory" to find the "extremists" who did not obey management. Then, team leader Lu Zhe would use his mental power to cleanse them.

Before the Awakening Experiment began.

The Mulberry Continent Cave was a "land of chaotic demons." If they wanted to stabilize the area and carry out a comprehensive cleanup of the extraordinary beings outside the ring... relying on the 200 elite extraordinary individuals they brought with them was still not enough.

If they could get the support and cooperation of the local extraordinary individuals, plus the "believer reinforcements" from the Holy City, the pressure would be greatly reduced.

And once the Northern Continent stabilized its foothold.

Then the Northern Cave could form "radiation" to both sides...

After Shen Li and Bai Xiu left.

Gu Shen breathed a sigh of relief and sorted out the chaotic thoughts in his mind.

It was not an easy task to compete with the Four Divine Envoys of the Tower of Origin in the Mulberry Continent Cave mission and gain the upper hand...

At this moment, two words floated into Gu Shen's mind –

Borrowing momentum!

The three years of the Awakening Experiment had turned the local residents of this chaotic land into extraordinary individuals.

Their power, although seemingly small individually, could not be ignored when combined.

The key point of borrowing momentum was the "neutralists"!

These people were able to survive in the chaotic long night of various sects.

In the three years since the Awakening Experiment was launched.

The power of the neutralists would only be greater than before –

Gu Shen had to find them quickly.

Perhaps there was still some information left in Mr. Zhuang's tombstone.

There were too many people before, and it was not convenient to use his methods. If Shen Li and Little Xiu were gone, he could go to the mausoleum again and use the authority of the Underworld to find some clues.

He finished his thoughts and withdrew from meditation.

At this moment, the "useless" Adam came up to him: "Brother Gu, I want to ask when the investigation of 'Tanyao' will begin..."

Gu Shen almost forgot that there was still this "captive."

"Now is not the time yet."

Gu Shen said calmly, "The Four Divine Envoys are about to arrive at the Eastern Cave. If you don't want to be exposed by Vermilion Bird and have your heart directly detonated, your investigation will have to wait."

"No problem, I was just asking casually."

Adam wasn't in a hurry either. "The wandering source quality in the S3 residential area is very rich. I can start another project. Even if I really want to go to 'Tanyao' for investigation, I need you to accompany me... I don't dare to go deep alone."

"Okay."

Gu Shen nodded. "When the Southern Cave is stable, I will personally accompany you to 'Tanyao.'"

"Good."

Adam nodded with a smile. His old problem relapsed. He looked at Gu Shen's eyebrows and babbled, "It's strange, why do I see a strange 'flame' on you? That flame is very small and seems completely different from your abilities, and the more I look at it, the more I feel my eyes are sore and difficult to look directly at. This is the first time I've encountered this kind of thing..."

"Smack!"

He didn't finish his words.

Gu Shen stretched out two fingers and directly pried off his "fake eye."

The scene suddenly became quiet.

Gu Shen said calmly, "You should feel lucky now, because even if you lose this eye, you still have one eye to see."

The moment the eye was taken away, the side effects immediately disappeared.

"..."

Adam very wisely shut his mouth.

"Although I promised to save you from Vermilion Bird, you should know that this is not because I am overflowing with kindness. I reiterate, I am not a good person."

Gu Shen paused for two seconds and returned the eye.

"Friendly reminder, in the future... don't look at me with this eye again."

He said expressionlessly, "I'm afraid if you look too much, you'll go blind."

...

...

(I was too tired last night and missed a chapter, so there will be four chapters today! The next chapter will be before six o'clock!)